New evidence of early matches has necessitated a reappraisal of Irish soccer’s foundation story. By Martin Moore According to its foundation myth, association football was introduced into Ireland on 24 October 1878, when John McAlery organised an exhibition match in Belfast between two Scottish teams, Caledonian and the famous Queen’s Park. McAlery, known as the … Read more
John Nicholson—the Irishman who became a god. By Stuart Flinders Question: What had the duke of Wellington, the writer Brendan Behan and the explorer Shackleton in common? Answer: Their portraits all appeared at an exhibition of ‘great Irishmen’ in 1965. You can imagine the arguments amongst visitors to the event in Belfast about who deserved … Read more
A great discovery that has been plagued by controversy for two centuries. By Michael Smith The dark scudding clouds and misty haze parted briefly in the late afternoon to reveal the wondrous sight of an icy landscape never seen by human eyes before that moment. It was 30 January 1820 and Edward Bransfield, an accomplished … Read more
This year will mark the 200th anniversary of one of Ireland’s most notorious murders: the brutal killing of a beautiful fifteen-year-old peasant girl called Ellie Hanley, who became known asthe Colleen Bawn. By Robert Whelan Elopement and sham marriage Ellie Hanley lived in Ballicahane, just outside the city of Limerick. Her great beauty attracted the … Read more